After reading the report Tamil groups object to language-switch policy, I am convinced there is a silent majority that opposes the implementation of teaching of Mathematics and Science in English.

I was disgusted by the statement made by Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's senior assistant Mohd Shafiq Abdullah when receiving the memorandum from the groups. He said, "All Malays and most of the non-Malays, had come to accept the language switch as something good for the country." In fact, the opposite may prove to be true.

Since the intention to implement that policy was announced by the Umno Supreme Council, many organisations and educators with no political motivation had come forward expressing their objection to it. However, the mass media which are controlled and monitored by the government had not given a fair account of those opposing views. The media had instead portrayed them (particularly Chinese educationists Dong Zong and Jiao Zong) as extremists and chauvinists and the government had even threatened to use the noxious ISA against them.

Chinese and Indian Malaysians have openly protested the language switch. Likewise, Malay Malaysians are not in favour of it. It is definitely a lie to say that "all" Malay Malaysians accepted the language switch as something good to the country. In its recent publications, the DBP (Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka) highlighted the opinions of many intellectuals and academicians who see no merit in the English language policy. As usual, these opinions, as they are in contrary to the government's policy, were ignored by the mainstream media such as Utusan and Berita Harian.

The government (or in this case, the Umno Supreme Council) is wrong in thinking that using English as the medium of instruction for Mathematics and Science would improve English proficiency among the bumiputra. Such thinking is totally unfounded. I received my primary and secondary education in Chinese schools and studied mathematics and science in Chinese. Then I furthered my studies in a university that uses English as the medium of instruction. I had no problems coping with that and did not find English a barrier in my studies.

Studies have shown that mother tongue education is the most effective, particularly for primary school children. Shafiq's statement leads me to think that the PM needs better assistants and advisors.